There are only six days until the NBA trade deadline and Bulls Nation is wondering what do the Bulls have planned? That’s a tough question to answer and it all has to do with the Bulls front office. Ever since Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas and General Manager Marc Eversley came to the Bulls it’s been hard to know what moves they plan to make. This front office keeps things quiet and is very good at doing it. There have been multiple names attached to Chicago thus far. With us being less than a week away from the trade deadline that’s not surprising. However, another name has been added to the list.
The Chicago Bulls are showing interest in trading for San Antonio Spurs center Jakob Poeltl, per @TheSteinLine. https://t.co/nvY7rvUANb
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) February 4, 2022
NBA Correspondent Marc Stein reported the Bulls interest in center Jakob Poeltl. This is a position the Bulls don’t have much depth in after starter Nikola Vucevic. While depth is necessary as we get closer to the playoffs we have to ask if Poeltl would be a good fit on this Bulls team?
Poeltl is the punch off the bench this team needs
The Bulls have had a lot of injuries which has created many different lineups. However, this team regardless of injuries hasn’t had a whole lot of depth when it comes to center. Nikola Vucevic plays 33.5 minutes per game. Backup center Tony Bradley plays 11.6 minutes per game and averages 3.5 PPG & 3.9 RPG. When Vucevic is out of the game the center position becomes an afterthought for other teams. Bradley hasn’t been effective and bringing in someone like Poeltl would change that dramatically. Just look at last year, while the Bulls weren’t a good team they still had a solid center coming off the bench in Daniel Theis. The Bulls couldn’t afford to keep him around and went for a cheaper backup. While things have worked out well thus far in the regular season the Bulls desperately need depth ahead of the playoffs and Poeltl could be just what they need.
This season Poeltl is averaging 13.1 PPG, 61.4 %FG, 9.0 RPG, & 1.7 BPG. Of his 9 rebounds per game 4 of them are offensive. The Bulls currently rank 22nd in the league in offensive rebounds and 18th in rebounds. Poeltl would already be an asset on rebound alone. His 13.1 points coming off the bench would be another huge boost for this team. His ability to hold his own in the paint certainly helps as well. Looking at Poeltl overall he checks all the boxes but what will it take to bring him to Chicago?
Are the Bulls willing to give the Spurs what they want to get Poeltl?
According to Marc Stein, the Spurs will be looking for a 1st round pick and a quality player in return for Poeltl. That’s a tough sell for a backup center. Poeltl is a good player and would do well for the Bulls but that could mean parting ways with a valuable player and draft pick which the Bulls may be unwilling to do.
Stein notes Bulls interest in Jakob Poeltl, who absolutely smoked the Bulls last week. He would be an incredible get, but guessing it would take…Coby and a first maybe? https://t.co/NDCklHbdmQ
— Jason Patt (@Bulls_Jay) February 4, 2022
If the Spurs are looking for a quality player then the Bulls would likely need to offer someone like guard Coby White or forward Patrick Williams. The Bulls have made it clear they won’t be moving Williams so that leaves Coby. Another piece the Bulls likely don’t want to move on from considering his play this season. The only reason the Bulls may part ways with Coby is due to the anticipated return of guards Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso along with the high-level play of Ayo Dosunmu. With those guys set to return and continue playing big minutes, he could be on the move. However, it’s hard to see the Bulls giving up a 1st round pick in this one.
The Bulls have multiple options
While Poeltl is a good player the Bulls will bring him in to play a backup role. They don’t need him to start and giving up a first-round pick for a backup doesn’t make sense. If it were just moving a player or two then I would see this being much more realistic. I like Poeltl and would love to have him come off the bench but a first-round pick is too much in this case. If there is concern about the depth of the team’s frontcourt, which there should be, then the Bulls will need to find another option.
Whether that means making a trade or waiting for players to return from injury is still to be determined. Patrick Williams will likely return from injury ahead of the playoffs which would be a huge plus. Additionally, forward Derrick Jones Jr. should be returning soon. If this team can get fully healthy they have a legit chance in the playoffs. If injuries continue to impact the team’s frontcourt then they are likely going to find themselves out of the playoffs early. They have managed to stay atop the Eastern Conference even with all the injuries. Part of that is skill while the other part is other teams struggling. The Bulls front office feels like they can win now so don’t be surprised if they make a move. It doesn’t feel necessary right now considering all the injuries but if it’s going to push the Bulls towards a championship I’m all for it.
